 Freedom's John Hogan leads New England chapter
of Naval crypto veterans by Daymond Steer Staff Writer
FORMER NAVY SPOOK (another term for ‘spy’) John Hogan now lives in Freedom and is President of the Naval Cryptologic Veteran’s Association’s New
England Chapter. April 01, 2010
FREEDOM — Former Navy spook John Hogan traveled the world monitoring America's enemies for about 20 years.
Now in retirement, Hogan is helping to keep Cold War history alive as the president of the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association's New England
chapter.
In an interview last week, Hogan, 76, of Freedom, shared how he and his colleagues in the Naval Security Group and National Security Agency
protected America and he also promoted the NCVA's New England chapter, which has over 200 members. The word "spook" is a slang term for
spy, of which those in the cryptologic field are a subset. The "cryppies'" duties and skills include intercepting signals, code breaking,
and linguistics.
A whole bunch of former spooks from New England will make the Marriott Hotel at Sable Oaks in Portland, Maine their haunt during the NCVA-NE
reunion from April 23 to April 25.
"It will be fun to catch up with some of these people," said fellow Freedom resident Tom Luke who served with the Naval Security Group
in the late 1960s. Luke said his Naval peers have taken different paths in life over the past 40 years. For example, Luke said he's just retired from
a Federal law enforcement career and Hogan spent his career in the Navy.
The NCVA's New England chapter is growing rapidly. Sixteen new members joined in the month of March alone. The chapter was formed in 1997 and
Hogan became president last year. Many "cryppies" live in New Hampshire because BAE Systems, a defense company, is located in Nashua. The
reunion will give the former Navy men and women a chance to retell some of their adventure stories.
While working in the shadowy world of intelligence gathering from 1953 to 1974, Hogan intercepted signals from the Russians, Chinese, North
Koreans, and other nations. The work was so secret that even his own wife, Maryann, wouldn't always know what he was doing or where he was going.
"What we really want to do in a gentle form, now that we can say something, is to let people know what was done," said Hogan.
"During the Korean War we were intercepting the North Vietnamese, breaking their codes, and giving them to the French. This has been a very
active organization."
Hogan and his contemporaries did their work before the advent of satellite communications. That meant having to travel all over the world — and
for some spooks, getting very close to the enemy.
Hogan said his friend, who now lives in Nashua, had a close call while trying to monitor the Russians from a submarine that was sailing just off
the Russian docks. At some point, the Russians located the American submarine and then waited for it to surface for air.
When the Americans almost ran out of oxygen, they had to use special chemicals to soak up carbon dioxide that was building up. Finally, the
Russians left the area when the sub's crew was just about to come to the surface, said Hogan recalling his friend's story.
But not every cryptologist was as lucky. In fact, the Naval Security Group had more men killed, captured, or injured in "hostile
action" than any other rating in the Navy, according to The Cryptolog, a publication of the U.S. Navy Cryptologic Veterans Association.
The National Security Agency and the Central Security Service, located in Fort Meade, Maryland, has a memorial listing the names of 161 fallen
military and civilian cryptologists. These words are etched into the black granite memorial: "They served in silence."
In 2001, the NSA began sharing information about the people who are listed on the monument.
"We've lost a lot of people," said Hogan. "At that time we were never allowed to tell how many people we had working, what they
were doing specifically, and if someone died it was always said to be in a car accident or some kind of tragedy. If the enemy knew how many
cryptologic people were killed and where they were when they got killed it could aid them in their intelligence gathering."
Cryppies are still a vital part of the American military, said Hogan. In a war, they would be involved in everything from decoding messages to
finding holes in the enemy's radar defense systems. But Hogan stressed the Naval Security Group didn't spy on the American people when he was there.
Also, American intercept posts in foreign countries never snooped on their host country, he said.
"We weren't involved in Watergate or any of that stuff," said Hogan. "It was always strictly against our enemies."
Each foreign country had its own personality. Chinese and Russians were reasonable but the East Germans were less so. The North Koreans were much
more aggressive – they captured the USS Pueblo in international waters in 1968 and even shot down an American reconnaissance plane in 1969. Even the
Israelis attacked an intelligence ship called the USS Liberty in 1967. The Israelis claimed that they made a mistake, as they thought the USS Liberty
was an Egyptian ship. The attack killed 34 crewmembers and wounded 170, according to the Navy.
Hogan grew up in Lawrence Mass. In the 1950s, the textile mills are moving down south and there no jobs to be had. The Korean War was raging and
so Hogan decided to join the Navy in order to pay for college through the G.I. Bill. Originally, Hogan wanted to be a Navy SEAL but Navy testing
revealed that he ought to pursue cryptologics. Those accepted into the cryptologics are among the most intelligent people in the U.S. Navy, said
Hogan, whose job entailed activities such as intercepting communications and monitoring radar activity. In addition to being smart, Hogan's
colleagues were surprisingly athletic and they even had a championship winning football team in a military intramural league in Japan.
After completing cryptologic school, Hogan shipped off for Guam where he would monitor the Russians, who would frequently use fishing boats for
espionage. After that, he traveled to other countries including Germany, Morocco, and Puerto Rico. Hogan also went to Fort Meade to work for the
National Security Agency.
Normally, Hogan would work from a base on land. He also worked from a ship called the USS Muller that primarily targeted Cuba. While working in
Misawa, Japan, Hogan attained his highest rank of Command Master Chief and his responsibilities shifted to handling personnel issues.
The Hogans learned about the town of Freedom through an American couple they met while traveling in Portugal. Luke said he learned about Freedom
through the Hogans.
Any bright young people who have a desire to serve their country should inquire about Naval cryptology, said Hogan. The Naval Security Group has
been merged into the Naval Network Warfare Command, which includes intelligence gathering in cyber space.
The U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association of New England is a not-for-profit fraternal group with three objectives: to conduct periodic
reunions, to advocate for maintaining a strong military to protect American security interests, and to preserve the history of cryptology. |
VADM Michael S. Rogers, Commander, U.S.
FLEET CYBER COMMAND and Commander, U.S. TENTH FLEET, was the keynote speaker at the second annual Veterans Day observance held at the Schoodic
Education and Research Center (SERC), Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor, Maine.
HISTORY MAKER - On May 21, 2012
Ensign John Joseph Dannemiller, Jr. reported aboard USS CONSTITUTION for Temporary Additional Duty.
BREWER/BANGOR, ME - VETERANS DAY 2010 - There is a bond among members of the military who have served side by side that is strengthened
every Veterans Day when they gather to honor those who came before them, one another and those who serve today. It is the bond of brothers- and
sisters-in-arms. It’s a chance for some camaraderie. On November 11, 2010, Dick Carlson, Dave Phaneuf, Larry Peterson, Jim Burks and David Burks (son
of Jim Burks) met in Brewer to ‘form up’ in the Veterans Day Parade. We chose to march with the Korean War since some of us qualified for that
privilege. For once, the wind was minimal; the comfortable temperatures in the high 40s, and the sun warmed our backs as we followed the 4 rows of
WWII vets in front of us. The Korean contingent numbered 6-8 rows. We were followed by the Viet Nam, Gulf War, and War on Terror veterans. Veterans
Day is a chance to be with people who experienced the same things and who lived to tell about it and to remember those who died on the battlefield.
It means remembrance of all those who fought to protect our country and to keep it free, but also to thank our present, living veterans, Veterans in
the Brewer/Bangor parade proclaimed their feelings in the Bangor Daily News on this important annual ‘reunion’ of veterans’.
Several veterans and active duty personnel who marched by
during the parade stopped to shake the hand or salute those who were too feeble or ill to march. In addition to the military veterans, the parade
included high school marching bands, area Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, other veterans groups, the 195th Army Band, and the Maine State
Honor Guard. The MAINEiacs from the 101st conducted flyovers in a KC-135 tanker.
WASHINGTON, DC, AUGUST 28,
2010 - On August 27, 2010 I, along with two friends, boarded a train in New London, CT. bound for Washington D.C. to attend the Glenn Beck sponsored
"Restoring Honor Rally" that was held on the 28th. Our hotel was in Arlington so we had to catch the Metro from the AMTRAK station to our
stop in Arlington. After checking in we again boarded the Metro to the Smithsonian stop and from there a short walk to the Washington Monument and
Lincoln Memorial. People were already starting to gather and pick their spot for the rally the following day. Camping out for the night was
discouraged, but I'm guessing that the park rangers didn't enforce it.
We had a pre-arranged plan to meet at the Washington
Monument if we decided to go our own way, which we did. During my leisurely walk thought the crowd I would often stop for a minute just to rest and
take it all in. I was there for only a short time when a middle age man and his wife came up to me to shake my hand and thank me for my service to my
country. To tell you the truth, I was very much taken aback. It was something I have only experienced twice since I have come home and that was
almost 40 years ago. There were many more such encounters that day and each time was very emotional. I tried to put on my best face but I was so
choked up I could not speak. Then there were the other Vets. Of course, you could tell who the vets were by their hat, shirt or vest. Not one Vet
that I encounter failed to stop and say "Welcome Home Brother". All vets greeted one another, be it a hand shake, sometimes a hug or a
salute. Most of the veterans that I met were Vietnam Vets and we would make some small talk about where we were in country. A day I shall never
forget.
MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 31,
2010 - Four members of NCVA New England marched in the May 31st Memorial Day Parade
in Prospect Harbor, Maine: Bob Kord, Dick Carlson, Dave Phaneuf and Larry Peterson. Blessed with a typical Downeast day, free of clouds and stormy
weather, we marched with a fair breeze and under a pristine blue sky.
We marched down the highway with pride in our hearts and
firmness in our steps being led by Lieutenant Commander Dustin H. Smiley USN, Commanding Officer, Navy Operational Support Center Bangor, and two
other NOSC members. We were treated to patriotic flag-waving, hand-saluting and applause, from the residents of this beautiful Downeast community.
Nearing the Gouldsboro Fire Station and Meeting Hall for the ceremony, we caught a glimpse of the
The invocation was given by our very own NCVA-NE member,
Robert J. Kord of Cutler, Maine who is also the author of "Downeast to Cutler; the history of a Maine town". In the invocation, he
commented on "They Gave The Last Full Measure" (President Lincoln’s remarks at Gettysburg) recalling The Spanish-American War, WW I, WW II,
Korea, Vietnam, USS Liberty, USS Pueblo, Lebanon, Panama, Grenada, Somalia, Kosovo, the USS Cole, 911 and other areas of conflict, where many ‘gave
their last full measure’ in service, ending with a call for us to ‘remember, honor and decorate in the highest respect those protectors and guardians
of our way of life.' We were entertained by the Cub Scouts and Brownies rendition of "Grand Old Flag". Lt. Commander Smiley was the guest
speaker, followed by the "placement of the wreath" by Lt Commander Smiley and Mr. Jonathan Stiles. Jonathan read the words to TAPS. Robert
Kord closed with the Benediction after which the Cub Scouts and Brownies sang "Proud to be an American".
The Des Moines class cruisers were a group
of U.S. Navy heavy cruisers that were commissioned in 1948-1949. They were the last and the largest of the all-gun heavy cruisers. Three ships of
the class were completed: the USS Des Moines (CA-134), the USS Salem (CA-139), and the USS Newport News (CA-148). The first two were de-commissioned
in 1959 and 1961, respectively, but the USS Newport News was not de-commissioned until 1975, giving it the distinction of being the last active all-
gun cruiser in the U.S. Navy. The USS Salem (CA-139), the USS Des Moines (CA-134) and the USS Newport News (CA-148) took turns as the flagship of the
Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. The USS Newport News was also the flagship of the Second Fleet home ported in Norfolk, Virginia. The heavy cruisers
of the Des Moines class faithfully served the US Navy and the Allies from the forties until the 1990s and later. The USS Newport News was scrapped
in 1993, and USS Des Moines was scrapped in 2007. The USS Salem, is now a major part of the US Naval Shipbuilding Museum located in the former Quincy
Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, where the ship was originally built.
Three active NCVA-NE members did tours on these heavy
cruisers when they were on active duty. Mick Mawn, was a CT aboard the USS Salem. Ed Carey was a CT aboard the USS Newport News, and Jack O’Connell
commissioned the USS Des Moines and served aboard her for 3 years and 3 months in both the 7th and the 4th divisions. Jack went aboard the USS Des
Moines as a BM3, and transferred to the USS Edisto (AGB-2) as a BM1. The interesting part of his story is that during his time on the USS Des
Moines, Jack did not know that there were CTs on board, and in fact he never heard of CTs until he went to Imperial Beach as a student R-Brancher in
1958. Jack made BMC while he was stationed in the Philippines and finally converted to CTC in 1965. Jack O’Connell’s navy career was summarized in
the CLOG’s Spring 2002 edition.
The SUPRAD/SECGRU spaces, which had been manned by
an enlisted compliment of about 16-20, were found to be in poor shape after access was gained. Paint was peeling off the bulk heads and the
overhead. The small amount of wiring that was apparently added in an effort to install some ham radio gear was in poor condition. Electronic gear
similar to the vintage U.S. Navy gear that was originally used on the USS Salem is non-existent today. Taking the above comments relative to the
condition of the SUPRAD/SECGRU spaces into account and adding the fact that the USS Salem is now a museum ship that will allow present day and future
visitors a glimpse into the USN’s part in the intelligence world, the idea fit well with one of our purposes for existing. That purpose, as stated
in the By-Laws of the NCVA-NE is – "Encouraging and supporting the preservation of the history of cryptology by members of the
association…." The photo shows the former SUPRAD/SECGRU spaces on the USS Salem (CA-139) as they exist today. Looking at the left side of the
spaces, three intercept operators would have been sitting along the table, and an I-brancher would have been sitting at the far end of the table.
Vintage typewriters and R-390s would have been sitting in front of the intercept operators. The doorway through the far bulkhead led to the crypto
spaces manned by O-branchers. The proposal to restore the spaces to "appear" as original as possible and to put the NAVSECGRU emblem on
the hatch of this vessel was approved at the NCVA-NE 2010 Spring Mini-reunion.
NCVA and NCVA-NE member Dick Carlson,
CTR1, USN, Retired, of Winterport, Maine, was awarded the State of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal on 15 December 2009 by Governor John
Baldacci. To be eligible, one must have been a resident of the State of Maine and a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in
time of war and meet the criteria, which are (1) wounded after September 11, 2001, (2) wounded prior to September 11, 2001 and/or (3) Prisoner of War
since beginning of World War II. Dick’s eligibility was based on his being a recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds he received on 8 June 1967
while a crew member of USS LIBERTY AGTR-5. He was one of fourteen veterans so honored by the people of Maine in recognition of their service and
sacrifice to their state and nation. The award ceremony was conducted at the Hermon High School gymnasium and it was attended by between 500 and 600
people, many of them students. Dick’s family as well as fellow NCVA-NE members and their wives, Dave and Neta Phaneuf, and Larry and Phyllis
Peterson, all of Gouldsboro, Maine, were also in attendance.
On Sunday, September 20, 2009, we took
a ride over to Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA. My cousin Roni and her husband Tom had never been there. He is a 20-year Navy veteran parachute
rigger and had served on several carriers. It was a beautiful, sunny day, just right for roaming the displays and decks of the various ships there.
We went aboard the battleship USS Massachusetts
around 1300 just as the ceremony celebrating national POW/MIA Recognition Day was to begin. We sat down and watched the various speakers talk about
the importance of keeping the POW/MIA issue alive and in the
minds of polititians as well as the general public. The event was sponsored by the American Legion.
The guest speaker was former POW CDR Timothy B. Sullivan,
from Massachusetts, who's F-4B Phantom II was shot down on November 16, 1967 after taking off for a mission from the USS Coral Sea. He spoke about
how the wearing of POW/MIA bracelets and flying of the POW/MIA flag here at home were very important. Their captors saw this as a show of support for
them, their treatment improved.
We arrived at the Gouldsboro Fire Station, mingling for a
spell, taking photos of everyone, and then took our seats as Cub Scout Troop #101 sang "Proud To Be An American" and received a healthy and
resounding applause from the crowd. The U.S. Navy Color Guard, Prospect Harbor Naval Station posted the colors. The National Anthem was played. Mr.
Dana Rice, Head Selectman of Gouldsboro, welcomed us. A reading "Freedom’s Memorial" was read. The Cub Scout Troop #101 sang "America
The Beautiful" and then YNC(SW) Rob. A. Hudson, USNR spoke to us about Memorial Day. A wreath laying by ETCM (SW/AW) Michael Chavez, USN and MA3
Krystal Pierce, USN was followed by a moment of silence. Taps was played and YNC(S) Rob Hudson read the verses of TAPS.
(Photo left) Dave addresses NCVA-NE members after being
presented with the plaque for his outstanding service to the group.
by Art Gowie
I want to tell you about a program that I was
invited to participate in April 17, 2009. You can view the overall information about the Program on the Web: 
This is a project that deserves more attention and our active
support. The purpose of this program is "to get as many pocket flags as we can into the pockets of our military personnel on the front lines.
We want them to know that we care and that we keep them in our hearts and our prayers."
This particular program was conducted at Sebasticook
Middle School in Newport and the actual program lasted about an hour (I am too old to regularly stand at attention for an hour). My responsibility
was to present a folded flag to the JROTC members from Nokomis Regional High School, who refolded the flag and then presented it to the family of a
soldier currently in Afganistan. I felt very honored to be the sole uniformed Navy member in attendance. Following the ceremony which included a
speech by a Army Colonel and the reading of a letter from Senator Susan Collins who was in Europe, the students retired to their classrooms to fold
the 600 small flags (explained on their website).
BLETCHLEY PARK - Home of the
Codebreakers
In addition to the mansion and the various huts, some unfortunately in rather poor condition, a must see are the various museum
buildings. They house the famous Abwear Enigma machine, the Lorenz, a more complex cipher machine, an operational Bombe rebuild, as well as the
Colossus rebuild which was the worlds' first semi-programable electric computer.
My visit to BP was particularly interesting as I was fortunate to listen to a lecture given by a woman who actually worked there during
WWII, and she provided a real insight into what went on there. In addition, our tour guide of the grounds was Tony Sale, an internationally
recognized computer security lecturer, who was instrumental in rebuilding many of the complex crypto devices that are on display. He provided us with
a wealth of information. Sale was one of the technical advisors when the film Enigma was being filmed, he said it was great fun teaching Kate Winslet
how to use
cypher equipment. He also maintains a website which is of interest to cryptology buffs.
There were 3 members of the New England chapter of our NCVA who participated in the parade this year. Dave Phaneuf, a retired Lieutenant Commander,
retired school teacher/principal of the Lamoine (Maine) Consolidated School, who lives in Gouldsboro; Jim Burks, is a Cryptologic Technician
Technical Master Chief, also retired, living in Ellsworth; and Dick Carlson, a Cryptologic Technician "R" Petty Officer First Class living
in Winterport, Maine. This was Jim's first time at marching, where as Dave and I have marched more than 4 times now, and mostly at either the
Memorial Day Parade or the Veterans Day Parade.
We paused at the reviewing stand. I turned and looked back up the hill. Hundreds
of marching veterans all the way to the top at the red light. Prayers were offered by dignitaries on the reviewing stand. Three were dressed as Civil
War Union Officers and their wives. At the playing of our national anthem we removed our caps and placed our hands over our hearts. A 3 round volley
from the rifle brigade startled many, the echo reverberating along the canyon of buildings on Main Street. And then taps was played, and I lost it.
Taps always does that for me. I weep for joy that I'm alive, and weep for sadness because I lost so many dear and close friends on the USS
LIBERTY.
The NCVA-NE Chapter held its fall reunion in Burlington, VT on
September 12-13, 2008. The USS Pueblo also held its 40th Anniversary reunion the same weekend.
During the recent NCVA St. Louis
reunion, Deborah V. Coutinho (NCVA New England Chapter spouse of Al Coutinho), came upon Larry Dolieslager, who had just arrived at the reunion by
car from Virginia, sitting on a hallway chair, looking ashen, and struggling to maintain his normal breathing.
